When to plant in Hillcrest, CA
USDA Zone 9bHillcrest, California frost dates, USDA zone, and a full-year planting calendar, drawn from the nearest NOAA station and tuned to the local season.
A generous ~311-day season lets Hillcrest gardeners direct-sow more and still ripen long-maturity crops like melons and winter squash. Zone 9b is warm enough that Hillcrest can grow subtropical perennials, and the short (or absent) frost period barely limits the annual calendar.
Frost probability
BAKERSFIELD 5 NW · 1991–2020The date the last spring and first fall frost occur, by threshold and probability. A 90% date is later in spring — and earlier in fall — than a 10% date; the 50% · 32°F row is what most gardeners plan around. These are Hillcrest’s own odds, recorded at BAKERSFIELD 5 NW.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | Apr 2 | Mar 2 | Feb 3 | Nov 11 | Nov 26 | Dec 11 |
| 32°F | Feb 27 | Jan 31 | Dec 31 | Nov 23 | Dec 8 | Jan 1 |
| 28°F | Feb 1 | Jan 3 | Dec 14 | Dec 2 | Dec 20 | Jan 20 |
Download this table as CSV ↓ — every threshold and probability, plus this city’s planting-window dates.
What to plant now
TODAY · JULY 19Nothing new to sow or transplant outdoors in the next few weeks — a seasonal lull. Check the full-year calendar below for the next window.
Full-year planting calendar
Each bar is the exact window to take a planting action in Hillcrest, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 21 km · complete 32°F normalsWhen stations disagree by more than a few days, that spread is real microclimate variation — elevation, water, urban heat. Judge which station best matches your own yard.
Hillcrest planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Hillcrest, CA?
On average, the last spring frost in Hillcrest is around January 31 (50% probability at 32°F, from 1991–2020 NOAA normals). Wait until after this date to set out tender plants like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first fall frost in Hillcrest, CA?
In Hillcrest, the first 32°F freeze of fall lands around December 8 on average. Time your last harvests and any season-extension cover before it.
What hardiness zone is Hillcrest in?
Hillcrest is in USDA hardiness zone 9b. In zone 9b, winters are mild — many tender perennials overwinter here.
How long is the growing season in Hillcrest?
There are roughly 311 frost-free days in Hillcrest (a long growing season), running from the average last frost around January 31 to the first fall frost near December 8.
When should I plant tomatoes in Hillcrest?
In Hillcrest, start tomato seeds indoors around December 6–December 20, then transplant seedlings outdoors around February 7 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Hillcrest
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Hillcrest’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- East Bakersfield · 2 km
- Potomac Park · 2 km
- East Niles · 3 km
- Bakersfield · 8 km
- Oildale · 9 km
- Lamont · 13 km
- Rosedale · 22 km
- Arvin · 24 km
Frost dates recorded at BAKERSFIELD 5 NW, 10 km from the city center · 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals · zone from the USDA/PRISM 2023 map. How we compute this.
BlissGarden. "When to Plant in Hillcrest, CA — Frost Dates & Zone 9b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00040444. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/california/hillcrest.